Vending-machine.



No. 888,291. PATENTED MAY 19, 1908. A. E. WYATT.

VENDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED D110. 28. 1906.

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No. 888,291. PATBNTED MAY 19, 1908. A. E. WYATT.

VENDING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED DEO.28,1906.

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UNITED s A Es PATENT-OFFICE.

ALBERT E. WYATT, OF I-IOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO THE GREATAMERICAN AUTO- MATIC VENDING MACHINE COMPANY, OF HOBOKEN, NEW JERSEY, ACORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

VENDING-MA CHINE Application filed. December 28, 1906.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALBERT E. l/VYATT, a citizen of the United States,residing in Hoboken, in the county of Hudson and State of New Jersey,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vendin -Machines,of which the following is a speci cation.

This invention relates to apparatus for automatically vending articlesof merchandise, in which a coin or token of value is in serted in theinstrument and then by manipulating a certain member, the article ofmerehandise will be delivered from the machine, or will be deposited atsome accessible place to be removed by the operator.

The object of the invention is to provide an improved form of mechanism,in which the coin forms an operative connection be tween the memberactuated by the operator, and the means that engage one of the articlesto cause it to be discharged.

In the drawings representing one embodiment of my invention, Figure 1 isa vertical section through the machine, taken on the line 11 indicatedin Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on the line 2-2 indicated inFig. 1. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section on the line 33 indicated inFig. 1. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view showing the members operativelyengaged by the coin; and Fig. 5 is a view of one of the coin engaginglevers shown separately.

The apparatus comprises a suitable box or receptacle shown asrectilinear and mounted on a suitable base B. The top member 10 is shownas permanently secured to the side members while the casing is providedwith flanges 12 and 13 on opposite sides engaging the ends of the topmember 10. One or more bent pins 14 project from the upper plate throughsuitable apertures 15 in the top member 10. A staple 16 secured to theplate 10 projects upward through a slot 17 in the removable plate 11,and by application of a suitable padlock 18, the top member is preventedfrom removal, the bent pins 14 retaining it in position. But uponremoval of the top plate 11, the back plate or member 19, that has beenheld in position by the flange 12 is now removable.

The operative members that engage with the coin are princi ally mountedon an intermediate horizonta plate 20 at the lower part of the machine.Above this plate is arranged a chute 21 of a size to permit the articles22 Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 19, 1908.

Serial No. 349,802.

to slide down the chute. When the chute is to be filled, it is pulledtoward the rear after the removal of plate 19, the chute being hinged at23 to permit such movement. The lowermost article in the chute rests onthe plate 20 adjacent an opening 24 therein, and an outlet opening 25 isformed below this opening 24 by means of an inclined plate 26. By asuitable actuator, the lowermost article is advanced across this openingand from. underneath the chute 21, whereupon it will be free to fallthrough such opening 25 and be discharged or delivered from the machine.The chute does not extend entirely down to the plate 20 but has itslower end a sufficient distance above the plate to permit the sidemovement of the article for discharge.

The coin or token is passed into the apparatus through a coin chute 27at the front of the machine, that is inclined and from which the coin isdischarged into a hopper or cone 28 held a short distance above theplate 20. The coin rests on the supporting plate 20 adjacent an aperture29 therein, and lies between an actuating lever 30, and a lever 31.Lover 30 swings on pivot 32 mounted on the plate 20, and the lever 31 isalso pivoted on pin 32, and rests on top of the lever 30. The ever 30has a coin engaging portion 33 that is curved to engage one edge of thecoin at one side as indicated in Fig. 2, and when swung byits projectinghandle portion 34 that extends through a slot 35 in one side member ofthe frame, will advance the coin across the opening 29 in the plate 20through which opening, the coin will fall when released, into the spacebelow the plate 20. The lover or article actuator 31 being movable on toof lever 30, will thereby swing above the p ane of the coin, but has adownwardly projecting lug 36 whose lower face rides on the surface ofthe plate 20, and which lug is rounded to engage the side of the coinopposite to that engaged by the portion 33 of the lever 30. The engagingface of this lug is undercut and inclined upwardly as shown in Figs. 1and 5, and being slightly thicker than the coin, when the coin isengaged between this lug and the portion 33 of the actuating lever 30,the coin will be grasped in a position to prevent its falling throughthe opening 29.

The article engaging member com rises a lever 37 pivoted at 38 andhaving a b ock 39 at its extremity that engages the article 22 in thelowermost position, to discharge the arti- 'cle 22.

cle through the opening 25. The actuator 31 has an arm 40 that engagesthe lever 37 and swings it to cause the discharge of the article 22 inthe described manner. But this can be effected only after a coin hasbeen dropped in the chute and deposited between the rounded portions ofthe levers 30 and 31. The coin being in such position, the movement ofthe actuating arm 34 will cause the portion 33 of lever 30 to advancethe coin;

and the latter engaging a lug 36 of the actuator 31 will swing suchactuator, and through movement of lever 37 will discharge the arti- Inthe final position, the coin will be opposite the opening 29 in theplate 20, and above this osition, in fact as soon as more than one ha fof the coin has passed over the edge 41, the coin will be no longersupported by the plate 20 in a manner to prevent its falling through theaperture. But the rear edge of the coin will still be sup )orted by thisportion 41 of the plate 20 while its opposite edge will be engaged bythe undercut portion of the lug 36, and as long as tightly graspedbetween the two levers 30 and 31, the coin will be supported at thisfront edge portion, and therefor prevented from falling through theopening 29.

Means are provided for returning these levers in a manner such that thelever 30 will return before the acutator lever 31, thereby disengagingthe coin at the undercut portion of the lug 36, permitting it to dropthrough the opening 29 into the compartment below. A spring 42 isstretched between a pin 43 on the plate 21 and the lever 30, that willreturn the lever to its normal position in which it is shown in Fig. 2The article engaging lever 37 is returned bya spring 44 stretchedbetween an arm 45 secured to the lever 37, and a pin 46 on the plate 20;but

this spring engages the lever a short distance removed from its pivotalpoint 38 and eXerts but a small force on the lever 37 to return it toits normal position which movement is retarded by reason of theengagement of the arm 40 with the lever, which must cause the actuatorlever 31 to be returned to its normal position. The strength of thisspring is such that it is not of sufficient resiliency to return both ofthese members owing to the considerable friction to be overcome. Butthis return movement is assisted at the intermediate part of the returnmovement of the lever 30, that is effected by the resiliency of spring42. A pin 47 mounted on lever 30 engages the arm 45 secured to the lever37, after the lever 30 has made a portion of its return movement. Thisengagement will assist the swing of lever 37 and the combined action ofboth springs will then serve to return the levers 37 and 31 to theirnormal position. By this means, the lever 30 will have accomplished apart of its return movement before the actuator 31 makes any returnmovement, and therefore the coin is no longer clamped between the twolevers 30 and 31, and its support at its front edge on the undercutportion of the lug 36 being removed, the coin will fall through theopening 29. This means will prevent a subsequent operation of the lever37, until a second coin is deposited in the chute, and therefore but onearticle can be obtained from the machine for each coin inserted. Thelever 30 does not have the pin 47 effect the return movement of theactuator 37 and lever 31 until the intermediate part of the returnmovement of lever 30. And when lever 30 shall have reached the limit ofits return movement, the other said levers will not have entirelyreturned to normal position. But at this stage the spring 44 will now beacting in a direction at right angles to the lever 37 and its strengthwill be sufficient to return the two levers 37 and 31 to-their normalposition.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a check-controlled device, the combination of a receptacleprovided with a horizontal plate, a check chute arranged to deposit acheck at a certain place on the said plate, a swinging operating levernormally held at said place on the plate and provided with a curvedabutment edge for engaging one side of the check, a companion swinginglever having an undercut abutment face arranged to engage the oppositeedge of the coin in said position, said companion lever being advancedupon swinging of the operating lever by engagement of the checktherebetween, said plate having an opening to receive the check uponbeing advanced by said levers, the portion of the coin adjacent theoperating lever when in the advanced position being supported at themargin of said opening in the plate, means for ejecting an article onthe movement of the companion lever to its advanced position, means forreturning the operating lever, means for starting the return of theejecting means, means connected with the operating lever for completingthe return of said ejecting means, and means throughthe medium of whichsaid ejecting means will effect the return of said companion lever afterthe partial return of said operating lever.

2. In a check-controlled device, the 'combination of a receptacleprovided with a hori-, zontal plate, a check chute arranged to deposit acheck at a certain place on the said plate, a swinging operating levernormally held at said place 011 the plate and provided with a curvedabutment edge for engaging one side of the check, a companion swinginglever having a curved abutment face arranged to engagethe opposite edgeof the coin in said position, said companion lever being advanced uponswinging of the operating lever by engagement of the check therebetween,said plate having an opening to receive the check upon being advanced bysaid levers, the portion of the coin adjacent the operating lever whenin the advanced position being supported at the margin of said openingin the plate, means for ejecting an article on the movement of thecompanion lever to its advanced position, means for returning theoperating lever, means for start- -ing the return of the ejecting means,means connected with the operating lever for completing the return ofsaid ejectin means, and means through the medium 0 which said ejectingmeans will effect the return of said companion lever after the partialreturn of said operating lever.

3. In a check-controlled device, the combination of a receptacleprovided with a horizontal plate, a check chute arranged to deposit acheck at a certain place on the said plate, an operating lever normallyheld at said place on the plate and provided with a curved abutment edgefor engaging one side of the check, a second lever having an undercutabutment face arranged to engage the opposite edge of the coin in saidposition, said second lever being advanced upon swinging of the firstlever by enga ement of the check therebetween, said plate raving anopening to receive the check upon being advanced by said levers, theportion of the coin adjacent the operating lever when in the advancedposition being supported by the margin of said opening in the plate,means for ejecting an article by the movement of the second lever to itsadvanced position, means for returning the operating lever when releasedto normal position, and independent means for returning the second leverand ejector means to normal position, said latter means beinginoperative until engagement of the ejector means by said operatinglever and thereby advanced for a part only of the return movementwhereupon said returning means will continue the return movement of saidejector members to their normal position.

4. In a check-controlled device, the combination of a rece tacleprovided with a horizontal plate, a c eck chute arranged to deposit acheck at a certain place on the said plate, an operating lever normallyheld at said place on the plate and provided with an undercut abutmentedge for engaging one side of the check, a second lever having a curvedabutment face arranged to engage the opposite edge of the coin in saidposition, said second lever being advanced upon swin ing of the firstlever by engagement of the c eck therebetween, said plate having anopening to receive the check upon being advanced by said levers, theportion of the coin adjacent the operating lever when in the advancedposition being supported by the margin of said opening in the plate,means for ejecting an article by the movement of the second lever to itsadvanced position, a spring for returning the operating lever whenreleased to normal position, a separate spring for returning the secondlever and ejecting means to normal position after the operating leverhas effected part of its return movement, said latter spring beinginoperative until engagement of the artic e ejector by said operatlnglever and thereby advanced for a part only of the return movement,whereupon said second spring will continue the return movement of saidejector members to their normal position.

5. In a check-controlled device, the combination of a receptacleprovided with a horizontal plate, a check chute arranged to deposit acheck at a certain place on the said plate, an operating lever normallyheld at said place on said plate and provided with a curved abutmentedge for engaging one side of the check, a second lever having anundercut abutment face arranged to engage the opposite edge of the checkin said position, said second lever being advanced upon swinging of thefirst lever by enga ement of the check therebetween, the plate raving anopening to receive the check upon being advanced by said levers, theportion of the coin adjacent the operating lever being supported at themargin of said opening in the plate when in the advanced position, meansfor ejecting an article by the movement of the second lever to itsadvanced position, means for returning the operating lever when releasedto normal position, means for returning the second lever and ejectingmeansto normal position after the operating lever has effected part ofits return movement, means for returning the operating lever to thenormal position, means for causing a partial return of the second leverand actuator means from the first lever at the intermediate part only ofthe return movement, and means independent of said returning means forreturning the second lever and actuating means to normal position.

6. In a check-controlled device, the combination of a casing having ahorizontal plate therein, a check chute arranged to deposit a coin at acertain place on said plate, a pivoted lever having a curved portionarranged to engage one edge of the check in said position, a secondlever pivoted adjacent said lever and having an abutment portionarranged adjacent the opposite edge of the check in said position, saidsecond lever being operative from the first lever upon swinging thelatter by engagement of the check therebetween, an ejector leverarranged to be engaged by the second lever when advanced to eject anarticle, a spring arranged to return the operating lever to normalposition, a spring connected with the second lever and ejector lever ofinsuflicient strength to move them when advanced to tuator the ejectingposition, an arm on the ejector lever, a stop on the operating leverarranged to engage said arm after the operating lever has moved aportion of its return movement after said members have advanced to theejecting position, to thereby return said actuator lever and secondlever for a portion only of its return movement, said spring connectedwith the actuator lever being organized to thereupon return the actuatorlever and the said second lever to normal position.

7. In a check-controlled device, the combination of a casing having ahorizontal plate therein, a check chute arranged to deposit a coin at acertain place on said plate, a pivoted lever having a curved ortionarranged to en gage one edge of the c eck in said position, a secondlever pivoted adjacent said lever and having an undercut abutmentportion arranged adjacent the opposite edge of the check in saidposition, said second lever being operative from the first lever uponswinging the latter by engagement of the check therebetween, a secondlever having a curved abutment face arranged to engage the opposite edgeof the coin when in said position, said second lever being advanced uponswinging of the first lever by engagement of the check therebetween,said plate having an opening sufficient to receive the check upon beingadvanced by said levers, the portion of the coin adjacent the operatinglever being supported by the margin of said opening in the plate in theadvanced position, a spring connected to return the operating lever tonormal osition, a spring connected with the second ever and ejectorlever of insufiicient strength to move them when advanced to theejecting position, an arm on the ejector lever, a stop on the operatinglever arranged to engage said arm after the operating lever has moved aportion of its return movement after said members have advanced to theejecting position, to thereby return said acever and second lever for aportion only of its return movement, said spring connected with theactuator lever being organized to thereupon return the actuator leverand the said second lever to normal position.

8. In a check-controlled device,'the combination of check receivingmeans, a pair of levers in position to engage a check therebetween, onean operating lever effective,

when the check is between said levers, to operate 1ts compamon lever,means for e ecting an article on the proper operation of said pair oflevers, means for returning the operating lever, means for starting thereturn of the ejector, means connected with the operating lever forcompleting the return of said ejector, and means through the medium ofwhich said ejector will effect the return of said companion lever afterthe operating lever.

9. In a check controlled device, the combination of check receivingmeans, a pair of swinging levers in position to engage a checktherebetween, one an operating lever eflective, when the check isbetween said levers, to operate its companion lever, a swinging ejector,an arm on the companion lever in engagement with said ejector forswinging it on the proper operation of said pair of levers, means forreturning the operating lever, independent means for returning theejector and the companion lever together, said arm preventing the returnof said ejector until the operating lever has partly returned, whereu onthe check is released and the operatinglever engages the ejector toassist the return thereof and through the medium of said ejector and armefiects the complete return of the companion lever.

10. In a check controlled device, the combination of check receivingmeans, a pair of swinging levers in osition to engage a checktherebetween, saic levers having a common pivot, one an operating levereffective, when the check is between said levers, to operate itscompanion lever, a swinging ejector pivoted independently of said pairof levers, an arm on the companion lever in engagement with said ejectorfor swinging it on the proper operation of said pair of levers, meansfor returning the operating lever, independent means for returningtheejector and the companion lever together, said arm preventing thereturn of said ejector until the operating lever has partly returned,whereupon the 'check is released and the operating lever engages theejector to assist the return thereof and through the medium of saidejector and arm efiects the complete return of the companion lever.

Signed at Nos. 9 to 15 Murray street, New York, N. Y., this 27th day ofDecember, 1906.

ALBERT E. WYATT. Witnesses:

FRED. J. DOLE, CHAs. LYON RUSSELL.

partial return of said

